Rising Sea Levels Threaten Mangroves' Ability to Store Carbon
By
Sarah Derouin
Summary
Mangrove forests, which naturally trap sediment and store carbon in dense soils along tropical and subtropical coastlines, are facing an uncertain future due to rising sea levels driven by climate change. While mangroves can sometimes adapt locally by building up soil vertically, global trends indicate that rapid sea level rise may overwhelm their ability to keep pace, potentially releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere and turning these vital ecosystems from carbon sinks into carbon sources.
Source
bskyRising Sea Levels Threaten Mangroves' Ability to Store Carboneos.orgKey quotes
· 3 pulledMangrove forests straddle the edge of land and sea along some tropical and subtropical coastlines.
These trees and shrubs have distinctive tangles of roots that trap sediment and produce organic matter, forming dense soils and efficiently storing carbon.
Locally, mangroves can sometimes adapt to rising seas, but global trends look troubling.
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